Kentucky people

[estpr13]

Mojo Chick'n :

Well, the rest of Jr.s eggs she had out there were no good. She left the nest this morning when she heard me come out, and I figured she was just gonna eat and poo. So I went to check on any more babies hatched, and there weren't any. I did the chores, then went back, cause she still hadn't gone back to her nest and I grabbed the eggs to bring inside to hatch in the bator, but when I candled them, three had died really late in development, and the others were at various stages of dead or not fertile.

She did really good for her first time, sitting on them religiously, so all I can figure is that it was just too darn cold out there. Well, I have four of hers - the two she hatched and two I hatched - although the one she hatched doesn't look that strong, and it might not make it. That is the last one that hatched last night under her - it is pure white.

But, I also have the three that hatched in the bator last night (not Jr.s) and I have more due to hatch today and tomorrow in there - those three were actually two days early, so I was surprized they popped out so fast. Two of those look to be pure white, also, but may get some blackness on them as they get older. The other one looks just like the little brown and black one that was Jr.s first egg that hatched - only bigger.

Poor Jr. is out running around trying to get back into the flock - and everyone keeps picking at her. She'll work it out, she's stubborn - and tough.

Well, gonna go read and catch up.

meri

Don't give up on her eggs yet put them in the bator for a day or two. I gave up on some and cracked them open only to find one was still alive but a week away from hatching. So I ended up that by checking on it I had killed it. Once one eggs hatches the hen tends to want to get off the nest. Any late eggs tend to get abandoned even if they are viable.

Welcome back Cindy! Look forward to when you can join us more regular.​

 

[pop57]

Quote:
I would say not yet. depends on how cold its going to be where there at garage, basement, barn. Do they have their primary feathers?
Pop

 

[FrChuckW]

I agree with Pop on this, I kept my chicks inside until after they were 8-9 weeks old. By then they had feathered enough to be able to handle the weather outside in a protected shelter. But I also had reduced the temp in the bator as recommended. If you have a way to run a heat lamp out to your coop area then you might be able to move them out sooner. They still need to be protected from drafts and dampness.

 

[estpr13]

Quote:
The general rule is to keep the chicks at 95 degrees for the first week then lower the temp by 5 degrees per week. So after 4 weeks you should keep them at 75 degrees. It's a bit colder than that outside. I just put my 8 week olds in a coop with a temp of 50 degrees on the low side.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Well, the littlest chicken is doing ok - has yet to eat or drink, but she has time still.

I expected her to die, to tell the truth, as she is even smaller than the banty chick that hacthed with her. She's maybe the size of my thumb.

But she is now walking around, so that is a plus - before she just laid there looking like death. I'll have to get a pic of her next to the newborn chick in the brooder with her. I have them in a seperate brooder, because the others are picking at them a little.

I'd have to say that if she'll eat and drink tomorrow and stays alive through then, then she'll probably make it.

Ok, got the pics...

the big chick hatched out a few hours ago - it is a light brahma / delaware mix. Tiny Baby is Jr. and George's that she hatched under her.

smallest chicken I've personally ever seen.

meri

 

[FrChuckW]

Ah, the precious widdle thing! I hope she survives! I have both bators going again, with eggs Yesterday was day 1, now the waiting begins, and the pacing, and the fingernail biting, and....

This will be the third attempt at hatching eggs for me!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Hey pop!! You must feed your quails fertility drugs or something! I candled some of my eggs last night (like 10-15), and only one was not developing! That one had a huge smashed part on the side, so no wonder! I must have done that putting them in there, cause I candled all of them before setting them. Only 6 days left!!

I might have to get more eggs from you!! I mentioned to some people that I would have some hatching soon, and I already have someone that wants at least 50 of the little boogers!! I might never get a 'flock'!

Should have kept all my others, or at least most of them!

 

[pop57]

Quote:
Hey Shelley glad to here they are doing good for ya. My choice of feed is Purina Gamebird Layena. and I treat my layers to a handful of live mealworms once a week or so. I increased the size of my flock by 20+ yesterday have some Goldens coming on soon, along with my chocolates that i've had for a couple months.

Hollar soon im hardly keeping up with the demand.

Pop

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Just keep trying, FrChuck, and take notes of the mistakes you made, or the conditions they did or didn't hatch under. I've learned by just keeping at it, and my hatch rates aren't great (I blame the time of year) but they have improved. I'm up to about a 30% hatch rate, closer to 50% if I dont count the eggs that looked clear but I left them in anyway. This last batch I hatched out 6 from 11 good eggs, so it is a little better than last time, ratio-wise.

I seem to get more from Mr. Speckles coop than George's coop - I'm thinking George isn't doing the deed with ALL of his ladies, only a select few. The fertile ones were from Jr. the two Australorps and Spazz - I haven't had any other fertile eggs from his coop.
If he were any other rooster, I'd replace him for that reason alone, but George aint going nowhere!!

I'll just make sure that he keeps his ladies, and I concentrate on hatching from the others more than his.

btw - if that baby lives, I think I'll name her/him Frodo

meri

 

[FrChuckW]

Meri, I am watching these very carefully, and making sure that temps, humidity, etc. are all stable and what they are supposed to be. I am tunring them at least 3 times a day as well.

How is your little Frodo doing?

Keep your fingers crossed for me, I just found out today that my disability claim is in the final stages of review. Hopefully, they will make a determination in my favor. And hopefully they will make their decision quickly. My attorney filed it in November of 2008, so if it is approved, they will back pay me til then.